Mining machine



Jan. 16, 1934.. w. T. MCCULLOUGH MINING MACHNE Original Filed May 24. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet l l @umili ZEW/aww' (Mr/iff Jan. 16, 1934. w. T. MCCULLOUGH MINING MACHINE Original Filed May 24. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 16, 1934.Il w. T. MccuLLouGH 1,943,832

MINING MACHINE Original Filed May 24. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 SL. [www Jan. 16, 1934. w, T. MCCULLOUGH 1,943,832

MINING MACHINE Original Filed Muay 24. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 MINING MACHINE Original Filed May 24, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet .5

`Iran. 16, 1934. w. T. MccULLoUGH MINING MACHINE v M Original Filed May 24..` 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Jan. iii, 1934i MENING MACHINE William T. Mctluliough, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, lili, a corporation oi' ilinois Application lv/.lay 2.1i, i930, Serial No. 455,218 Renewed February 27, 1933 32 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in inining machines and has among other objects to provide a new and improved "ruck: mounted mining machine adapted to be moved about a vertical axis and cut a kerf adjacent the mine roof or at various elevations with respect thereto, which mining machine incorporated therewith a means for collecting the cuttings discharged from the cutter bar and conveying discharging said cuttings beyond the mining machine truck in all positions of the cutting element with respect to the truck.

A prior application, Serial No. December' si., 1927, by gren, shows a mining machine oi the type disciosed in my present invention having a means thereon for collecting the cuttings e d discharging them on the opposite end ci the Z, xning in chine from the cutter bar. While my present ation is similar ZG in some respects to prior app ica-tion oi .':Trank A. Lindgren, it is an improve'. t on said prior application in that means are pr -d to keep down the discharge ci coal dust in the mine air during cutting and the device oi my present application is so arranged t'n at the cuttings may be continuously discharged om "le rearward end of the mining machine ti ucl: in any position of the cutter bar with thereto.

Other objects of my invention will appear from 00 time to time in the following specincation.

My invention may be more clearly understood with reference to accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l a top plan view of device bodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Figure 1 with the bar crimped in the mine wall;

Figure 3 is an fW view of the device shown in l U broken away and in section;

243,841", filed -ntary side eleparts broken Jriy show the Figure 5 is a partial enl yr d fragmentary sec tional View taken on line E of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a enlarged front end view of the min machine with broken 5G away and in sectie view oi the rearward portion of the mini g machine with parts broken away and in. section;

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 8MS of Figure 5; and

(Cl. 26E-28) Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 9--9 of Figure 3.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the various gures.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the device embodying my invention comprises a mining machine l of the well known overcutting or slabbing type having a means incorporated therewith for collecting the cuttings discharged from the cutter bar and discharging said cuttings beyond the rearward end of the mining machine in the gob or in a suitable receiving device.

The mining machine 1 includes a truck frame 2 supported on axles 3 and wheels 4. A circular frame 5 is supported on the truck frame 2 by 'I0 suitable means, which will hereinafter be more fully described, for movement with respect thereto about either a longitudinal or transverse axis. The outer periphery of the circular frame 5 has teeth 6 cut thereon for a portion of its circum- 75 ference. The circular frame 5 is provided with an enlarged bore which forms a bearing support for a hub 7 of a turntable 8 mounted on said circular frame so said turntable may be rotatably moved with respect thereto.

A cutting element 10 is supported on the turntable 8 for vertical movement with respect thereto in parallel spaced guides ll on opposite sides thereof in a usual manner, which is not herein described in detail since it is no part of my present invention.

The cutting element 10 includes power actuating means, which means is herein preferably shown as an electric motor 12, elevating and cutter chain driving mechanism generally indicated at 13 forwardly of said motor, and a cutter bar 14 projecting forwardly of said elevating and cutter chain driving mechanism having a cutter chain 15 movable thereabout.

Means are provided for operating the turntable 8 from the motor 12, which. means herein comprises a motor pinion 16 on the rearward end of said motor, which pinion meshes with and drives a spur gear 18. The spur gear 18 is operatively connected with a plural speed frictionally controlled planetary gear mechanism generally indicated at 19, which planetary gear mechanism has driving connection with a spur gear 2o to drive said spur gear at a plurality of predetermined frictionally controlled speeds in a usual manner. The spur gear 20 meshes with and drives a spur gear 21 on a longitudinal shaft 23. A worm 24 is cut integral with the shaft 23 and meshes with and drives a worm gear 25 journaled on its hub in a housing 26, which housing 11e is integral with the motor. l2. The worm gear has driving connection with a splined sleeve 29, which. splined sleeve has a splined shaft passing through its inner surface for driving said splined shaft. The lower end of the splined shaft 3G has driving engagement with a vertically extending sleeve 3l, which sleeve abuts the lower portion of the sleeve 29. A spur pinion 32 is formed integral with the lower end of the sleeve 3l and meshes with and drives an idler gear 33 keyed on a stud 34 supported. in the turntable 8.

The idler gear 33 meshes with the teeth 6 on the outer periphery of the circular frame 5 so that rotation of said gear causes rotation of the turntable 8 with respect to said circular frame.

It may now be seen that the splined sleeve 29 and splined shaft 30 permits the turntable 8 to he turned from the motor 12 in all positions of v rtical adjustment of the cutting element l0 with respect to said turntable.

Novel means are provided for supporting the circular frame 5 on the truck frame 2, which means herein includes a member 35 trunnioned on the truck frame 2 for pivotal movement about the central longitudinal axis thereof near the rearward end of said circular frame.

Brackets 36, 36 extend downwardly from the circular frame 5 on each side of the member 35. Pins 37, 3'? extend transversely of the member 35 from each side thereof and have bearing engagement with the brackets 36. Thus the circular frame 5 is supported for movement at its rearward end about either a transverse or longitudinal axis.

The forward portion of the circular frame 5 is adjustably supported on opposite sides thereof on vertically disposed threaded shafts 38, 38. The threaded shafts 38 are threaded within sleeves 39, which sleeves are keyed within hubs e0 of bevel gears el and 42. A ball 43 is formed on the upper end of each threaded shaft 38. Each ball 43 fits within a socket a4. siidably mounted on the under portion of the circular frame 5 in guides 45, 45.

Bevel pinions 47, i7 mesh with the bevel gear 4l on opposite sides thereof and are journaled on their hubs in a support member 48 for the bevel gear l1 and threaded shaft 38. A transverse shaft i9 extends through the hubs of the bevel pinions i7 and has driving connection therewith by means of suitable clutches 50 and 51. clutches 5G and 51 may be of any well known type but are herein preferably shown as jaw clutches of a usual construction and are so arranged that when one clutch engages one bevel pinion 47, said bevel pinion will rotate the bevel gear 4l. in one direction and when the other clutch engages the other bevel pinion 47, said bevel pinion will rotate the bevel gear 41 in an opposite direction without reversing the direction of rotation of the transverse shaft 49. The transverse shaft i9 passes through a longitudinal slot 53 the lower portion of the threaded shaft 38 to prevent rotation of said shaft upon rotav tion of the sleeve 39 and cause said threaded shaft to be moved vertically upon rotation of the sleeve 39.

Likewise, a bevel pinion 54 is journaled on its hub in a support member 55 for the bevel gear 42 has driving connection with the bevel gear The bevel pinion 5a is keyed to a transverse shaft 55 journaled in the support member 55 and passing through a longitudinal slot in the threaded shaft 38 (not shown) in a manner similar to which the transverse shaft 49 passes through the longitudinal slot 53 in the threaded shaft A squared end 53 provided on the shaft 49 so that said shaft be rotated by suitable hand crank or any other well known hand driving inea-ns, and the shafts 49 and 56 are operatively connected together by means of a suitable universal coupling member 59 of a well known construction.

Thus rotation of the shaft 49 causes rotation of the bevel pinion 5ft and may cause rotation of either of the bevel pinions 47 so that the threaded shafts 38 may be simultaneously raised or so that one threaded shaft may be raised while 'the other threaded shaft remains stationary or so that one threaded shaft may be raised while the other threaded shaft is lowered. it may now be seen that a new and novel adjustable supporting means has been provided for the circular frame 5 and cutting element l@ so that said cutting element may be positioned to allow the cutter chain l5 to cut a kerf in the mine wall at various angles with respect thereto. This provides a flexible three point support for the cutting element le, which support is adjustable and enables the cutter bar 14 and cutter chain 15 to cut out dirt bands in the coal seam where the dirt bands are at varying angles with respect to the mine bottom and also enables a horizontal kerf to be cut in the mine wall when the mine bottom is uneven.

Referring now in particular to several other of the novel features of my invention, which include means for gathering the cuttings discharged from the cutter chain l5 and conveying said cuttings beyond the mining rn .chine truck in the various positions of the cutter bar 14 with respect to said truck, a yieldably supported cuttinge gathering chute 6o has been provided to gather the cuttings and guide them into a suitable conveying means. The cuttings gathering chute 60 extends upwardly from a conveyor frame 63 and over the top of the cutter bar l and completely covers the sides and top portion of said cutter bar. A support member 5l is slidably movable in a longitudinal slot 62 in the cutter bar 14 and engages the under surface of the top portion of the cuttings gathering chute 6G and supports said cuttings gathering chute for slidable movement along said cutter bar. The conveyor frame 63 is fixed to the cutting element 1G and projects forwardly therefrom along the cutter bar le and forms a slidable support the lower portion of the cuttings gathering chute 60.

Yieldable means are provided to hold cuttings gathering chute in a for y'fard position on the cutter bar ifi so said cuttings athering chute may abut the mine wall when the cutter bar is sumped therein, which means herein comprise. a spring 65 connected at one end to an eyebolt 56 threaded in the rearward end of a 6'? for the cutter bar 14, and co: ected at its opposite en to eyebolt 5S 'threaded in the forward end of the support member 6i. lilhile the spring 65 tends to hold sun-port member and cuttings gathering chute 69 in a fo ward position on the cutter bar iii, said spring also allows said cuttings gathering chute to be moved rearwardly on said cutter bar upon encountering irregular surfaces in the mine wall.

A boot 'l0 extends upwardly from each -ide oi' the conveyor frame 63 and over the top portion of the cutter bar le and encloses the sides and top portion of the cuttings gathering chute 69 to permit said chute to be slidably moved therein. A cover 7l extends rearwardly from the .ira

boot 70 and completely encloses a sprocket 69 for driving the cutter chain 15 about the cutter bar 14 which cover has a curved rearward portion to conform to the path of said cutter chain.

The cuttings gathering chute may be positively moved rearwardly on the cutter bar 14 to adjust said chute to various types `of mine Walls. Any suitable means may be provided to positively move said cuttings gathering chute, but as herein shown said means preferably comprises a transverse shaft 72 liournaled in a support 73 for the cutter bar 14. Drums 74 are keyed on transverse shaft 72 near opposite ends thereof within the boot 70. Cables 75 are fixed to said drums at one end and have connection with eyebolts 76 at their opposite ends, which eyebolts are attached to the cuttings gathering chute 60. The shaft 72 projects outwardly beyond the boot and has a ratchet 77 keyed thereon. A pawl 78 engages said ratchet to hold the shaft 72 in a stationary position and hold the cuttings gathering chute 60 in a fixed position with respect to the cutter bar 14. A squared end 79 is provided on the transverse shaft 72 so that said shaft may be rotated by means of a suitable hand crank i not shown) to wind in the cables on the drums 74 and move the cuttings gathering chute 60 rearwardly on cutter bar 14.

Means are provided to engage the mine wall and guide the cuttings gathering chute 60 therealong as the cutter bar 14 and cutter chain 15 is cutting a kerf therein. Said means herein comprises a plurality of forwardly and outwardly extending material engaging elements 80, pivotally mounted on the cuttings gathering chute 60 at their inner ends, adjacent each side of the longitudinal center line of said cuttings gathering chute. Rods 83 are connected to members 84 which are pivotally connected to the material engaging elements near the outer ends thereof. The rods 83 extend rearwardly from the material engaging elements 80 and are guided in angles 85 on the outer sides of the cuttings gathering chute 60 and have nuts 86 threaded on their outer ends, which nuts abut the rearward sides of the angles 85. Compression springs 87 are placed on the rods 83 and are interposed between the angles 85 and the members 84. These springs tend to keep the material engaging elements 80 in engagement with the mine wall and allow said material engaging elements to follow an uneven mine wall.

It may now be seen that a means has been provided for collecting the cuttings discharged from the kerf by the cutter chain 15. which means is yieldably supported on the cutter bar 14 and totally encloses the sides and top of the cutter bar and chain and provides a highly efficient cuttings gathering means which collects a maximum amount of cuttings and decreases the amount of coal dust discharged in the mine air by said cutter chain.

A discharge opening 89 is provided in the central portion of the turntable 8 and means are provided for discharging the cuttings collected by the cuttings gathering chute 60 through. said discharge opening. Said means may be of any ordinary construction but is herein shown as a belt conveyor 99 of a usual type. The belt conveyor 99 `is supported in the conveyor frame 63 and is vertically movable with the cutting element 101 and extends from a point beyond the discharge end of the cuttings gathering chute 60 rearwardly to a point within the discharge opening 89 in the turntable 8 so as to discharge the cuttings collected by the cuttings gathering chute 60 therethrough.

The belt conveyor 90 is driven from the forward end of the motor 12 by means of a suitable geared reduction which comprises a motor pinion 91, spur gear 92, intermediate shaft 93, and a helical gear 94 which meshes with and drives a helical gear 95 keyed on a sleeve 96 freely mounted on a transverse shaft 97. A shaft 98 is parallel to the sleeve 96 and may be driven therefrom in opposite directions without reversal of the motor.

Spur gears 99 and 100 are cut integral with each other and are feathered on the shaft 98 and are movable therealong. A spur gear 103 is keyed on the sleeve 96" and is engageable with the spur gear 99 for driving said spur gear and rotating the shaft 98 in one direction. Another spur gear 104 is keyed on the sleeve 96 and meshes with and drives an idler gear 105, which idler gear is engageable with the spur gear 100 for rotating the shaft 98 in a direction opposite to that in which said shaft is rotated when the spur gear 103 meshes with the spur gear 99.

Suitable means are provided to move the spur gears 99 and 100 along the shaft 98 to engage the spur gear 99 with the spur gear 103 or disengage said gears and engage the spur gear 100 with the idler gear 105 so as to reverse the direction of rotation of shaft 98 without reversing the direction of rotation of the motor, which means is of an ordinary construction and is not herein shown in detail since it is no part of my invention. A sprocket 106 is fixed to a disk member 107 freely mounted on the shaft 98.

Means are provided to operatively connect the sprocket 106 with the shaft 98 so said sprocket may be driven thereby or released upon overload of the mechanism driven by said sprocket. Said means may be of any ordinary type well known to the art but herein comprises suitable friction driving means generally indicated at 108, which means includes a friction disc 109 operatively connected with the shaft 98 to be driven thereby and a compression member 110 abutting the outer end of the disk member 107 to engage the face of said disk member with said friction disc. The sprocket 106 has operative connection with the belt conveyor 90 for driving said belt conveyor through a suitable chain and sprocket drive generally indicated at 111.

Conveying means are provided beneath the discharge opening 89 to convey the cuttings discharged through said opening beyond the rearward end of the truck frame 2 into a mine car or any other suitable receptacle. Said conveying means is herein preferably shown as a flight conveyor 112 of an ordinary construction carried in a frame member 1122L secured to the truck frame 2 and extending longitudinally thereof. The conveyor 112 and frame member 112a extend from a point disposed forwardly of the forward end of the truck frame 2 rearwardly beneath the discharge opening 89 to a point beyond said discharge opening and then upwardly and over the truck frame 2 a sufiicient distance so that said conveyor may clear the top of the mine car. The portion of the frame member 112a forwardly of the truck frame 2 is open at its top and forms a receptacle into which dirt or slack coal may be shoveled and conveyed away from the coal face by the conveyor 112 and thus provides additional means for permitting ready cleaning ofthe working face.

The ight conveyor 112 is driven from a motor 113 on a truck frame 2, rearwardly of the cutting element 10, through a suitable geared reduction which herein comprises a motor pinion 114, a spur gear 115 driven thereby and keyed on a hub 116 of -a pinion 117 freely mounted on a sleeve 11S. The pinion 117 meshes with and drives a spur gear 119 freely mounted on a transverse shaft 120. The spur gear 119 is connectible with a sleeve 121 through suitable friction drive means generally indicated at 122 for driving said sleeve from the gear 119. Suitable jaw clutch means are provided for selectively connecting the shaft 120 with the sleeve 121, which means herein comprises a jaw clutch member 123 of an ordinary construction well known to those familiar with the art. n sprocket 124 is keyed on the opposite end of the shaft 12) and has driving connection with the flight conveyor 112 through suitable chain and sprocket riving means generally indicated at 125.

From the foregoing description it may be seen that a mining machine has been provided which is adapted to cut a lierf in the mine wall above the mine bottoni at various elevations with respect thereto, which mining machine is supported on a turntable adjustably supported on a truck frame so that a kerf may be cut in the mine wall at varying angles with respect thereto, or so that a horizontal kerf may be cut in the mine wall when the truck is on an uneven mine bottom, and that i ieans have been provided for collecting the cuttings and discharging them through a central opening in the turntable and conveying said cuttings away from the mining machine at the rearward end thereof in any position of the cutter bar with respect to the truck.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention be embodied, it will be understood that the construction or arrangement of the various parts may be altered or changed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the particular form shown, excepting as it may be limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a lierf cutting chain carrying cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means adjacent the rearward end of said cutter bar for collecting the cuttings and discharging said cuttings through said central discharge opening in said turntable.

2. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a kerf cutting chain carrying cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, means adjacent the rearward end of said cutter bar for collecting the cuttings and discharging said cuttings through said central discharge opening in said turntable, and means for conveying said cuttings from said discharge opening in said turntable beyond said mining machine truck.

3. In a mining machine, a truclr, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a kerf cutting chain carrying cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means adjacent the rearward end of said cutter bar for collecting the cuttings and discharging said cuttings through said central discharge opening in said turntable comprising a cuttings gathering chute supported for yieldable movement along said cutter bar.

4. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means adjacent the rearward end of said cutter bar for collecting the cuttings and discharging said cuttings through said central discharge opening in said turntable comprising a cuttings gathering chute extending along said cutter bar.

5. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, a cutting element mounted on said turntable having a kerf cutting chain carrying cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means for collecting the cuttings discharged from said cutter bar comprising a cuttings gathering chute having its forward end adapted to abut the mine wall and projecting rearwardly therefrom, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, means for conveying said cuttings from said cuttings gathering chute to said central discharge opening in said turntable, and means for conveying said cuttings from said central discharge opening beyond said mining machine truck.

c. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a kerf cutting chain carrying cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means for collecting the cuttings discharged from said cutter bar and conveying said cuttings beyond the rearward portion of said truck in all positions of said cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a cuttings gathering chute beneath said cutter bar, and means for discharging said cuttings gathered by said cuttings gathering chute through said discharge opening.

7. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a kerf cutting chain carrying cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means for collecting the cuttings discharged from said cutter bar and conveying said cuttings beyond the rearward portion of said 125 truck in all positions of said cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a cuttings gathering chute beneath said cutter bar, means for discharging said cuttings gathered by said cuttings gathering chute through said discharge opening, and means for conveying said cuttings from said central discharge opening beyond said mining machine truck.

8. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means for collecting the cuttings discharged from said cutter bar and conveying said cuttings beyond the rearward portion of said truck in all positions of said cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a cuttings gathering chute extending along said cutter bar, yieldable material engaging means on the forward portion of said cuttings gathering 145 chute adapted to abut the mine wall when said cutter bar is sumped therein, and means for discharging said cuttings gathered by said cuttings gathering chute through said discharge opening in said turntable. 1

9. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means for collecting the cuttings discharged from said cutter bar and conveying said cuttings beyond the rearward portion of said truck in all positions of said cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a cuttings gathering chute extending along said cutter bar, yieldable material engaging means on the forward portion of said cuttings gathering chute adapted to abut the mine wall when said cutter bar is sumped therein, a conveyor extending from said cuttings gathering chute to said discharge opening and a second conveyor beneath said discharge opening extending beyond the rearward end 01"' said truck.

10. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means for collecting the cuttings discharged from said cutter bar and conveying said cuttings beyond the rearward portion of said truck in all positions of said cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a cuttings gathering chute extending beneath and over said cutter bar so as to totally enclose the top portion of said cutter bar, yieldable mau terial engaging means on the forward portion of said cuttings gathering chute adapted to abut the mine wall when said cutter bar is sumped therein, a conveyor extending from said cuttings gathering chute to said discharge opening, a boot rearwardly of said cuttings gathering chute abutting the forward end thereof and passing around the top portion of said cutter bar.

11. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means for collecting the cuttings discharged from said cutter bar and conveying said cuttings beyond the rearward portion of said truck in all positions of said cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a cuttings gathering chute extending beneath and over said cutter bar so as to totally enclose the top portion of said cutter bar, yieldable material engaging means on the forward portion of said cuttings gathering chute adapted to abut the mine wall when said cutter bar is sumped therein, a conveyor extending from said cuttings gathering chute to said discharge opening, a boot rearwardly of said cuttings gathering chute abutting the forward end thereof and passing around the top portion of said cutter bar, and a second conveyor beneath said discharge opening extending beyond the rearward end of said truck.

12. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, a cutter chain sprocket, and means for collecting the cuttings discharged from said cutter bar and conveying said cuttings beyond the rearward portion of said truck in all positions of said cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a cuttings gathering chute eX- tending along said cutter bar, yieldable material engaging means on the forward portion of said cuttings gathering chute adapted to abut the mine Wall when said cutter bar is sumped therein, a conveyor extending from said cuttings gathering chute to said discharge opening, and means for totally enclosing said cutter bar and sprocket rearwardly of said chute.

13. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, a cutter chain sprocket, and means for collecting the cuttings discharged from said cutter bar and conveying said cuttings beyond the rearward portion of said truck in all positions of said cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a cuttings gathering chute extending along said cutter bar, yeldable material engaging means on the forward portion of said cuttings gathering chute adapted to abut the mine wall when said cutter bar is sumped therein, a conveyor extending from said cuttings gathering chute to said discharge opening, and means for totally enclosing said cutter bar and sprocket rearwardly of said chute comprising a boot extending upwardly from said conveyor and over the top portion of said cutter bar and sprocket.

14. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means for collecting the cuttings discharged from said cutter bar and conveying said cuttings beyond the rear- Ward portion of said truck in all positions of said cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a cuttings gathering chute yieldably supported on said cutter bar for limited longitudinal movement with respect thereto having yieldable material engaging means on the forward end thereof, and means for discharging the cuttings gathered by said cuttings gathering chute through said discharge opening.

l5. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening centrally thereof,` a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, and means for collecting the cuttings discharged from said cutter bar and conveying said cuttings beyond the rearward portion of said truck in all positions of said cutter bar with respect to said truck comprising a cuttings gathering chute yieldably `supported on said cutter bar for limited longitudinal movement with respect thereto, means for discharging the cuttings gathered by said cuttings gathering chute through said discharge opening,

and means for conveying said cuttings from said *l central discharge opening beyond said mining machine truck.

16. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable supported on said truck, a cutting element mounted on said turntable for vertical movement with respect thereto, a cutter bar projecting forwardly of said cutting element, and means for supporting said turntable on said truck for moving said turntable about a longitudinal or transverse axis rearwardly of said cutter bar comprising a member pivotally movable about the longitudinal axis of said truck, means for supporting said turn-- table on said member near one end of said turntable for movement about an axis extending transversely of said truck, and adjustable support means at the opposite end of said turntable comprising a vertically movable threaded shaft on one side of` said turntable and another vertically movable threaded shaft on the opposite side of ico izo

said turntable, said second mentioned vertically movable threaded shaft being independently or simultaneously movable with said first mentioned vertically movable threaded shaft.

17. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable supported on said truck, a cutting element mounted on said turntable for vertical movement with respect thereto, a cutter bar projecting forwardly from said cutting element and means for supporting said turntable on said truck for moving said turntable about a longitudinal or transverse axis rearwardly of said cutter bar comprising a member' pivotally movable about the longitudinal axis of said truck, means for supporting said turntable on said member near the rearward end thereof for movement about an axis extending transversely of said truck, and support means at the forward end of said turntable for moving said turntable about said longitudinal or transverse axis comprising a threaded shaft at one side of said truck vertically movable with respect thereto, another threaded shaft at the opposite side oi said truck and vertically movable with respect thereto independently or simultaneously in opposite directions or in the same direction with said rst mentioned vertically movable threaded shaft.

18. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening therein, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and projecting therefrom and adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in a mine wall, means beneath said cutting element for conveying the cuttings rearwardly toward said discharge opening in said y turntable and cuttings removing means beneath the discharge end of said cuttings conveying means.

19. In a mining machine, the combination oi a truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening therein, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and projecting therefrom and adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in a mine wall, a cuttings conveyor extending beneath said cutting element and having its discharge end adjacent said discharge opening in said turntable, and a conveyor mounted on said truck and extending beneath said discharge opening and the discharge end of said rst mentioned conveyor.

20. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, a cutter bar mounted on said turntable and projecting horizontally therefrom, a cuttings collecting member beneath said cutter bar, means for yieldably holding the forward end of said cuttings collecting member against the mine wall, a horizontal conveyor mounted on said turntable and extending from the rearward end. of said cuttings collecting member to the central portion of said turntable, and a conveyor mounted on said truck and having a horizontal portion extending beneath the center of said turntable and the discharge end of said rst mentioned conveyor.

21. In a mining machine, the combination of a track mounted truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening therein, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and projecting therefrom, said cutting element including a chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in the mine wall, means beneath said cutter bar for conveying the cuttings rearwardly toward said discharge opening in said turntable, and cuttings removing means beneath the discharge end of said cuttings conveying means.

22. In a mining machine, the combination of a track mountec truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening therein, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and projecting therefrom, said cutting ele ment including a chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut a horizontal keri in the mine wall, a cuttings conveyor extending beneath said cutting element and having its discharge end adjacent said discharge opening in said turntable, and a conveyor mounted on said truck and extending beneath said discharge opening and the discharge end oi first mentioned conveyor.

In a mining machine, a track mounted truck, a turntable on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening disposed centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable including a chain carrying cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom and adapted to cut a horizontal keri in the mine wall, and extensible means adjacent the rearward portion of said cutter bar for collecting the cuttings and discharging said cuttings through said central discharge opening in said turntable.

2li. In a mining machine, a track mounted truck, a turntable on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening disposed centrally thereof, a cutting element mounted on said turntable including a chain carrying cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom and adapted to out a horizontal keri in the mine wall, and extensible means adjacent the rearward portion of said cutter bar for collecting the cuttings and discharging said cuttings through said central discharge opening in said turntable and means beneath said turntable for conveying said cuttings from said central discharge opening in said turntable beyond said mining machine truck.

In a mining machine, a track mounted truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening therein, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and projecting therefrom, said cutting element including a chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in the nunc wall and means communicating between said cutting element and discharge opening for discharging the cuttings through the latter.

25. In a mining machine, a track mounted truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening therein, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and projecting therefrom, said cutting element including a chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut a horizontal kei-i n the mine wall and means communicating between said cutting element and discharge opening for discharging the cuttings through the latter comprising an extensible cuttings gathering chute adapted to engage the mine wall.

27. In a mining machine, a track mounted truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening therein, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and projecting therefrom, said cutting element including a chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in the mine wall and means communicating between said cutting element and discharge opening for discharging the cuttings through the latter comprising a cuttings gathering chute adapted to yieldably engage the mine wall.

2S. In a mining machine, a track mounted truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening therein, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and projecting therefrom, said cutting element including a chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in the mine wall and means communicating between said cutting element and discharge opening arranged to direct the cuttings by gravity through the latter.

29. In a mining machine, a track mounted truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening therein, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and projecting therefrom, said cutting element including a chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in the mine wall and means communicating between said cutting element and discharge opening arranged to direct the cuttings by gravity through the latter comprising an extensible cuttings gathering chute adapted to yieldably engage the mine wall.

30. In a mining machine, a track mounted truck, a turntable mounted on said truck, said turntable having a discharge opening therein, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and projecting therefrom, said cutting element including a chain carrying cutter bar adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in the mine wall and means communicating between said cutting element and discharge opening for discharging the cuttings through the latter and a conveyor mounted on said truck having an open forward end forwardly of said truck` and extending longitudinally along said truck beneath said discharge opening in said turntable.

3l. In a mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, said turntable having a discharge opening therein, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and having a herf cutting chain carrying cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, means adjacent the rearward end of said cutter bar for collecting the cuttings and discharging said cuttings through said discharge opening in said turntable, means for conveying said cuttings from said discharge opening in said turntable beyond said mining machine truck comprising a conveyor carried by said truck and extending longitudinally therealong beneath said discharge opening, said conveyor extending forwardly beyond the forward end of said truck and said forwardly extended portion being open for the reception of loose material.

32. In a mining machine, a truck, a cutting element on said truck having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, means adjacent the rearward end of said cutter bar for collecting the cuttings, and means on said truck for receiving the cuttings collected by said collecting means comprising a conveyor carried by and extending longitudinally of said truck, said conveyor extending forwardly beyond the forward boundaries of said truck and having an open forward end for the reception of loose material.

WILLIAM T. McCULLOUGI-I. 

